Chapter 1: What were the highlights of Middlesbrough's draw with Leicester?
Be fair to say at the Riverside we saw rare flashes of quality this afternoon. It was a big shout for a penalty in the first half. It wasn't given by Bobby Madley, the referee. Middlesbrough did pile on the pressure in the second half but unable to convert. They were hesitant as they have been throughout the season in front of goal.
And the first game of the new year for the champions and Middlesbrough, it finishes honours even at the Riverside. So a third away point of the season for Claudio Ranieri's side. Compared that to last season, they picked up 39 in the whole of last season. The wait for that first away win continues, but they're up one into 14th. That pushes them seven points clear of the relegation zone.
For Middlesbrough, a seventh draw of the season. That's the most of any team anywhere in the Premier League. They stay 16, five points off the relegation zone. Sunderland in action against Liverpool. That gets underway in half an hour's time.
Chapter 2: What were the key moments in the match between Middlesbrough and Leicester?
So nine attempts from both sides, only one on target from Middlesbrough. That came from George Friend. Two corners each, not much to choose in terms of team distance covered. Possession-wise, second most that Middlesbrough have had this season was 63%, just 37% from Leicester. The pass is long, 23% from Leicester. They went very direct, particularly in that first half.
But it is a point for Leicester. It's another clean sheet as they got on New Year's Eve. Let's hear now from Wes Morgan and the man of the match, Robert Hoof. They're both with Guy Havard.
Robert Weser ended 0-0. Robert, in light of the away form, is that a good point for Leicester today?
I think so, considering we played two games in two days. I think it's a good point. Obviously, we're trying to win the game, but worst case scenario, we take a 0-0.
Chapter 3: How did Middlesbrough's performance compare to previous games this season?
Where's the second successive clean sheet? Has there been a conscious decision to go back to basics?
No, not really. We know what we expect of each other and we should be giving it a lot more. So it's good to get the clean sheet, especially from a defender's point of view, and hopefully we can continue.
Robert, there weren't many chances, but there was a shout for a penalty. You clashed with Traore. How did you see it?
I thought it was a pen. You thought it was a pen? Well, only because I felt a bit of a touch, so I was almost just waiting for the ref to give it, but I've not seen it back, but yeah, I think it was a lucky one for us.
Very honest of you. Wes, did you fear that there wasn't enough chances today going forward?
Yeah, you know, I think both teams didn't create much today. You know, it's tough with a quick turnaround, only playing on Saturday and playing again today.
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Chapter 4: What factors contributed to Leicester's clean sheet against Middlesbrough?
So, you know, some tight legs out there. But on reflection, 0-0 is a great point for us. And a clean sheet is always good.
Well done, Robert. It's the Barclays man of the match. If you'd like to make the presentation, Wes. Big man. Cheers, dude. Thanks, boys.
Very honest to Robert Hoof there. We'll discuss whether or not he was serious in just a moment with Alan Smith and Niall Quinn. But, Alan, overall for Leicester today, OK, it's a point, it's a clean sheet. What other positives would you draw from that performance? Not many. A point and a clean sheet, I think.
Chapter 5: How did Manchester United secure their win over West Ham?
I've covered them both for you. I know. I mean, second half, they were poor. They just didn't kick on at all, and you saw the possession stats. It was all Middlesbrough. They offered very little threat. So, from that point of view, it was disappointing. Mahrez, you know, didn't get into it. Did they lose their way second half? They did lose their way, yeah.
I mean, they got shoved back, and, you know, there's a reason why Robert Huth was man of the match. He had plenty of work to do. But I was expecting a bit more from them because I thought this was a game they could have won. But, you know, two games in three days, they've won one and they've drew one. So, given the season that they're having,
Chapter 6: What was the impact of the red card on the West Ham vs Manchester United match?
it's not too bad. You could see that they were fairly pleased with that. The stats will say not only one shot on target from the home side, but in truth, how big a missed opportunity was this for Borough today?
I think looking back, they'll be the ones that said that's a couple of points gone that we could easily have got. They needed their sharpshooting boots on and it wasn't there. That said, anything that they did put in from wide areas, they were defended really well. Huth in particular got himself on everything. And Negredo disappointed for me.
I thought that he had to be the one that led the line well, that he should have worked harder as crosses were raining in to lose his man, but he made it quite easy, I think, for Huth and Morgan at times. So, you know, that aside, I think there was good commitment from Borough. I thought they really wanted that victory in the second half. They were miles better than Leicester in the second half.
And if there was a goal going to go in, you expected it to come for Borough. But it hasn't come. And, you know, they've had nine attempts on goal.
Chapter 7: What tactical changes did Mourinho implement during the game?
But in truth, there's something almost nervy about them in front of goal. And until they lose that, they won't really gather huge momentum and move up the table. They're now relying on their defence to be strong a lot. Well, they have been all season. So... Yeah, they're creeping a little bit further away after the victory the other day. It's a decent Christmas period for them.
And they'll just still be looking at games below them, hoping that the likes of Swansea and Hull don't win.
When you see Negredo's performance, you can understand why they're after another striker, really. I mean, we were tearing our hair out. It's the lack of anticipation, isn't it? Yeah, he was just stood on a spot, wasn't he? He was never trying to get in front of his man, never making a move, never anticipated.
I thought what he didn't do, as the ball was going out wide, and you know that whether it was Traore and one side, as he's taking it out of his feet and he's coming in, you expect him to go one way, to make ground, to go to the other, but he just trotted in a straight line every time, and that's Huth in particular, just bump, he gets you and then he just clears it. I was really disappointed.
Chapter 8: What are the implications of this match for both teams moving forward?
To be fair, I don't know. I think Gistead will be the answer. I might be wrong, but he showed nothing at Villa to suggest he can score goals at this level. But he clearly feels, Karanka, that he needs another body in there. Yeah, if you haven't heard, we understand a £6 million bid has gone in from Borough and it has been accepted. Stand by Sky Sports News HQ for more news on that.
Let's talk about that coming together in between Traore and Hoof as well. Now, listening to Hoof there, you're fairly convinced he was joking and that he thinks it was a penalty or what? No, I don't think he was joking. Really? But for somebody to say that, it takes you by surprise. You don't often say it. But what was your take on it?
I didn't think it was a pen because I thought he's just stood his ground and Traore has gone into him rather than the other way round. I think he feared, yes, it was going to be a penalty. We said at the time, didn't we, the arms are up and you're appealing your innocence. And there was an element of, you know, being over-theatrical about it for Traore.
But, yeah, I think that's the first time ever when I've heard somebody say, yes, it should have been a pen.
Mm-hm.
Let's talk more about their problems up front, Burrow. You mentioned Gestead. Four goals in 18 appearances for Aston Villa in the Championship this season. Just the one assist is not really the answer, or is he?
Isn't it funny? This time last year, they brought in Jordan Rhodes to get the goals, to get them out of the Championship into the Premier League, and a lot was made of that, and he did OK. So now suddenly Gestead is the one that's been brought in. Hasn't been doing it at Aston Villa. Steve Bruce is trying to get Aston Villa into the play-offs.
And this, to me, looks like he's saying, well, he's not going to be the one that brings us to the playoffs, and yet I have a Premier team coming in for him, I'll offload. It feels that way.
All you'd say was that Middlesbrough, on today's evidence, they do get a lot of crosses into the box, don't they? You know, George Friend and Traore, whoever. So if they can keep delivering, at least you said you might think... It might suit them, yeah. I mean, Hedin is obviously his biggest asset, so... It's got to get better than we saw today.
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